Serving tray



Dec; 15, 1925- L. (i MONSCHKE SERVING TRAY Filed Nov. 26, 1923 /6 Z5 M m /f 24 5 Patented Dec. 15, 1925.

UNITED STATES LUKE G. MONSCHKE, OF DALLAS, TEXAS, WELL AND ONE-THIRD'TO J. A. FL

PATENT OFFICE.-

SERVING TRAY.

Application filed November 26, 1923. Serial No. 677,110.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LUKE G. MoNsoHKE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Dallas, in the county of Dallas and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Serving Trays, of which the following is a specification. 7

This invention relates to'new and useful imrovements in serving trays.

uite an extensive business has been built up at drug stores, confectioneries and the like, known as curb service and involves the serving of soft. drinks, ice cream and lunches to the occupants of automobiles. The drinks and food are carried out to the car on a tray and asomany cars haveno adequate place to restthe tray, it is often inconveniently held by one of the occupants and frequently upset with disastrous results.

Several efforts have been made to produce a tray that could be supported on the door or side of the car, but those devices which have come under my observation did not meet the requirements to the best advantage.

The object of the invention is to provide a tray having a fastening device of a selfacting nature which may be operated with one hand and including a resilient clamping element for securing the tray to the support on which it is engaged for service.

Another object is to provide a combined handle and resilient clamp on the under side of the tray, together with a latch, whereby the tray may be fastened against displacement on the door or side of the automobile.

A further feature resides in a combined handle and clamp which forms a stand for the tray, so that it may be rested on a counter while being filled and is ready to be picked up and carried to and engaged on the car without unfolding or arranging braces or the like.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is an underside view of a trav equipped in accordance with my invention, Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same,

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on the same, and

Fig. 4; is a cross-sectional view on the line 4et of Fig. 3. V In the drawings the numeral nates a metal tray to the underside of which s secured a pair of diverging arms 11 havmg legs 12 depending from their outer ends and adapted to engage over the top and inner side of an automobile door. The legs are covered with felt 13 or other protective material and strips let of the same material are applied to the undersides of the arms. A handle bracket 15 extends from the lntersection of the arms and is fastened to the tray. The bracket is rectangular and depends relatively between the legs, but on the" opposite side of the tray. To the heel of the bracket is pivoted one end of a pair of toggle levers 16 having their front ends pivoted to a small bracket 17 The bracket has :1: lug 18 depending between'the levers, whereby it is held in a central position. A follower head 19 provided with a protective covering 20 is mounted on the bracket 17 and is held relatively between the legs 12.

A short carriage 21 is mounted to slide on the lower member of the bracket 15 and is provided with an upstanding post 22 within said bracket." A pair" of short links 23 pivoted together on the carriage (Fig. 4.) have their diverging ends pivoted to the toggle levers 16, whereby a toggle within a toggle is produced. Coiled springs 24 attached to the carriage have their diverging ends attached to the levers 16 adjacent the links 28.

The outer upright members of the bracket 15 forms a hand rest around which the thumb and palm of the hand. may be engaged while the fingers grasp an angular latch lever 25. The lever 25 has a leaf spring 26 bearing against the post 22. The latch lever has an aperture 27 receiving the bottom member of the bracket 15 and sufiiciently large to permit the spring 26 to tilt the lever 25 forwardly (Fig. 3), whereby the lever bites on the said member and fastens the carriage in the position to which it is moved. The lever is bent at right desigangles to overhang the carriage and has its lower end pivoted on a support 28 extending from the carriage.

The toggle levers 16 with the legs 12 form a support for the tray 10 so that the latter may be set upon a counter or table either while being loaded or for serving. It will be seen that with the tray thus supported it does not have to be lifted to unfold a supporting brace and may be conveniently handled.

In using the tray it is set upon the counter (not shown) with the parts in the position shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 2. The glasses and dishes containing the drinks and food are placed on the tray by the counter man. The server places the palm of his hand against the outer member of the bracket 15 and grasps the latch lever 25 with his fingers, closing his thumb around the bracket. lVith such a grip he is able to lift the tray and carry it to the automobile waiting at the curb. If the tray is particularly heavy he may help support it with the other hand, but two small trays may be carried, one in each hand.

By pulling the lever 25 against the post 22 (Fig. 3) the aperture 27 is positioned so that the carriage 21 may slide freely. By increasing the pull or grip on the parts the carriage 21 is slid on the bracket and the links 23 being thus spread, contribute motion to the toggles 16, which are thus elongated, whereby the head 19 is retracted from the legs 12, toward the bracket 15.

When the toggles are elongated or retracted, the springs 21 are tensioned. hen the head 19 is moved ample space is provided between said head and the legs 12 to receive the upper edge of any automobile door or side, and the server merely has to hook the legs over the door and release his grip on the lever 25 and post 22. \Vhen the parts are released the springs 2 1 tend to swing the toggle as above deseribech levers 16 together, whereby the links 23 push the carriage inwardly and the levers 16 carry the head into contact with outer side of the door.

By this arrangement the tray is fastened on the door. To sustain the tray and prevent its tilting downwardly, especially when a weight is placed over the bracket 15, the latch lever 25 is provided and acts to prevent outward movement of the carriage by the toggles and links. A downward pressure on the tray would tend to rock it on the car door and thus force the head 19 outwardly or toward the bracket, but this is prevented by the latch lever.

Various changes in the size and shape oi the various parts, as well as modifications and alterations may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

lVhat I claim, is:

1. The combination with a serving tray, of a pair of spaced legs depending from one side of the tray, a bracket depending from the other side of the tray, a head,a pair of toggle levers carrying the head at one end and pivoted to the bracket, a carriage mounted to slide on the bracket and connected with the levers for operating the same, a spring tension connection between the carriage and the levers, and a hand I grip on the carriage.

2. The combination with a serving tray, of a pair of spaced legs depending from one side of the tray, a bracket depending from the other side of the tray, :1. head, a pair 01'' toggle levers carrying the head at one end and pivoted to the bracket, a carriage mounted to slide on the bracket and connected with the levers for operating the same, a spring tension connection between the carriage and the levers, and a spring latch on the carriage adjacent the grip engaging with the bracket.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

LUKE G. MONSCHKE. 

